How can you not love this soulful, little face? After four weeks in her foster home, Cassie is blossoming into a fun-loving, happy, little girl. She is far more confident and is no longer frightened by household noises or the sights and sounds that she encounters on her walks. Instead, she spends her time chewing on her Nylabone, tossing around her stuffed toys and merrily squeaking the squeaky-toys. She also gets great pleasure out of hounding her Golden Retriever, foster sister to try and get her to play tug. And when Cassie has tired herself out, she likes to cuddle up with the life-sized, stuffed collie at her foster home and take a long nap.

Cassie had had no socialization or housetraining when she came to MWCR, but she has made great strides in a very short time. She is almost fully housetrained now and only has the occasional accident when foster mom is too slow at picking up on her “I need to go outside” signal. She has also learned to take a treat from her foster mom’s hand, a sure sign that she is learning to trust.

When Cassie initially came to MWCR, her foster mom thought that she might be a flight risk due to her nervousness and fear of strange sounds, but now that she has become more trusting, she sticks very close to her people. She loves her walks, and when she sees the leash come out, she rushes to the door. Cassie has not had time to learn any commands: she has been too busy learning about life and what it means to live in a home with people who love you. She is a smart girl however and very eager to please, so her forever family will have no trouble teaching her the commands that she will need to know.

Cassie has been given a clean bill of health by her vet, and the infection she had when she first arrived is completely gone. She was spayed on May 1 and is now ready to go to her forever home. Cassie is looking for a forever family who is ready for a playful, loving, little girl who loves to get her tummy rubbed and give doggie kisses. She will bring a lifetime of joy and companionship to her new family.

Update, April 18, 2007

Cassie is an affectionate little girl with lots of energy who daily makes her foster people laugh at her antics. She appears to be part Sheltie, but there is nothing certain about her heritage even though she came to MWCR described as part Collie. Cassie's age is estimated at about two years old, and she weighs about 25 pounds. She is easily frightened by loud voices, strange noises, or sudden moves, and she is definitely a flight risk until she becomes more comfortable with the surroundings of people and a home.

Cassie likes to go for walks, but she is uncomfortable with the noise of children playing in a nearby park and other distractions and displays behavior typical of a young dog that has not been well socialized. She loves to play with her two bigger foster sisters, and her favorite thing is to dash willy-nilly around the back yard, jumping and playing and cavorting--she is not at all intimidated by her bigger companions. Cassie would benefit from going to doggie school with her new people to learn leash manners and basic commands. She appears to have had no training in the past.

Cassie has already made progress since she came into foster care in the second week in April. She sleeps on the bed or on the floor in the bedroom with her foster family, and she's getting used to doorways and household things like hair dryers, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. She is crated during the day when her foster people are at work, and is learning what she can chew on and what's forbidden as well as going outside to go potty. At night she loves to snuggle up close to someone, lie on her back to have her tummy rubbed, and play with her stuffed toys.

With more experience and maturity, Cassie will be a sweet and lovable companion for the right family who is patient with her fears and insecurities. For now, a fenced yard is a must, and in particular a fence that Cassie can not dig her way under.

New to Rescue!

Cassie is a petite mix girl who is probably part Sheltie, about two years old and 25 pounds. Cassie is still very much a youngster and loves to play with other dogs and stuffed toys. In the house she is skittish and a little timid but also affectionate. She doesn't yet know her name and may not have had one where she came from. She is currently being treated for an infection, and when that is cleared up she will be spayed. She has a pretty, wavy coat which will be much cleaner and silkier after a bath or two.

Cassie is being fostered in Marshall, MN.